The PFL has postponed its Paris card later this month, with tickets set to be refunded and no new date currently announced.
“PFL Paris on 23 May has been rescheduled and a new date will be announced soon. All fans who have purchased tickets will receive a full refund,” a brief statement on PFL Europe’s social media channels, posted on Thursday, read.
No reason for the postponement/rescheduling was provided. The card was to have been headlined by Mansour Barnaoui, however as noted by longtime MMA journalist Al Zullino, the French lightweight is currently under investigation over a domestic violence incident caught on video.
The fighter’s former partner, the alleged victim in the case, has stated that Barnaoui “accused me of having practiced witchcraft on him” after he lost a fight, and gassed her with a tear gas cannister in front of witnesses, per a repot by France’s CNEWS. Other violence, including the complainant being choked out in Las Vegas, was filmed by a concerned friend.
Her lawyer, Tom Michel, told CNEWS that “the techniques that were used on Joanne are MMA techniques,” adding that Mansour Barnaoui told her: “You’re my slut. Now calm down.”
Barnaoui (22-6) was a ROAD FC lightweight champ and tournament winner who then moved to Bellator, appearing in their lightweight grand prix in 2023 only to be eliminated. He moved to the PFL when the promotion acquired Bellator, and has won his last two fights.
The lightweight has denied the accusations.
Cageside Press has reached out to the Professional Fighters League for comment. In a tweet tagging the promotion, the complainant’s lawyer wrote (translated via Twitter/X) “MMA is not guilty, but it becomes an accomplice if it remains silent.”
Mansour Barnaoui was to have faced Archie Colgan in the PFL Paris main event.
